Yates uses grant on airport hanger work

PENN YAN—A grant originally obtained from former Rep. Randy Kuhl is now helping maintenance of the Seneca Hangar at the Yates County airport.Legislator Taylor Fitch explained the grant was obtained around five years ago, and was partially used to purchase half the Seneca Hangar. Fitch explained the other half is owned by Harland “Jim” Poel.The Yates County Legislature approved the maintenance in the Monday, July 12, meeting. Russell P. LeFrois Builder, Inc. was the winning bidder at $216,590. Fitch explained the funds were part of the Airport Improvement and Revitalization Act of 1999 (Air ‘99 grant) for capital projects at public airports.Fitch said the work is mainly for work on the roof and insulating the walls. He added some work will be done in the office space within the hangar. He explained work is expected to start in September and be done by the end of the year.Fitch said from what he was told, the roof work needed to be done. He said when the funds weren’t available for use, the work was postponed. Fitch added previously, the work also wasn’t necessary.The county uses the hangar for equipment storage, as well as renting space for airplanes in the summer and winter.